Differing but in degree, of kind the same. [ 490 ]

Is oftest yours, the latter most is ours,

Indud with various forms, various degrees

Exceeded human, and his wary speech

To whom the Patriarch of mankind replid,

Discursive, or Intuitive; discourse

If ye be found obedient, and retain

Divine effulgence, whose high Power so far

Full to the utmost measure of what bliss

As neerer to him plact or neerer tending

More aerie, last the bright consummate floure

Of things above his World, and o99lib.netf thir being [ 455 ]

Given him by this great Conference to know

Obedient? can we want obedience then

Who dwell in Heavn, whose excellence he saw

Mans nourishment, by gradual scale sublimd

Till body up to spirit work, in bounds

And from these corporal nutriments perhaps

Your fill what happiness this happie state

O favourable spirit, propitious guest,

Your bodies may at last turn all to Spirit,

Under whose lowly roof thou hast voutsaft

Fansie and understanding, whence th九九藏书e Soule

By steps we may ascend to God. But say,

O Adam, one Almightie is, from whom

Food not of Angels, yet accepted so, [ 465 ]

To proper substance; time may come when men

No inconvenient Diet, nor too light Fare: [ 495 ]

Human desires can seek or apprehend?

Improvd by tract of time, and wingd ascend

But more refind, more spiritous, and pure, [ 475 ]

As that more willingly thou couldst not seem

Spirits odorous breathes: flours and thir fruit

Wonder not then, what God for you sahttp://www.99lib.netw good

All things proceed, and up to him return, [ 470 ]

Proportiond to each kind. So from the root

Here or in Heavnly Paradises dwell; [ 500 ]

If not depravd from good, created all

Springs lighter the green stalk, from thence the leaves [ 480 ]

To intellectual, give both life and sense, [ 485 ]

Unalterably firm his love entire

At Heavns high feasts to have fed: yet what compare?

Thus when with meats and drinks they had sufficd [ 450 ]

To enter, and these earthly fruits to taste

九_九_藏_书_网

,

Ethereal, as wee, or may at choice

To whom the winged Hierarch replid.

If I refuse not, but convert, as you,

Thy favour, in this honour done to man,

Thus to th Empyreal Minister he framd. [ 460 ]

In contemplation of created things

Well hast thou taught the way that might direct

Can comprehend, incapable of more. [ 505 ]

To him, or possibly his love desert [ 515 ]

Who formd us from the dust, and placd us here

Whose progenie you are. Mean while enjoy

Such to perfection, one first matter al九*九*藏*书*网l,

Transcend his own so farr, whose radiant forms

Reason receives, and reason is her being,

To vital Spirits aspire, to animal,

What meant that caution joind, if ye be found

Each in thir several active Sphears assignd,

Of substance, and in things that live, of life;

Our knowledge, and the scale of Nature set

Inhabitant with God, now know I well

With Angels may participate, and find

Not burdnd Nature, sudden mind arose

In Adam, not to let th occasion pass

From center to circumference, whereon [ 510 ]